The food was delicious! Unique flavor pairings, interesting textures and very good quality ingredients. I loved the small plates it was perfect for sharing. I highly recommend coming here with a group of people so you can share. It was so worth it to try everything. The ambiance of the restaurant was dark and intimate. The staff was so friendly and on point. -The drinks were perfect, sweet with complex complimenting flavors. The Zeniba was ever so slightly more interesting than the Haku. -The Ume tomato was a perfect blend of flavors and textures. Some of the tomato's were peeled and the house tofu was flavorful and coated the tomato's like a sauce. -The kimchee Kalbi bao was tender and savory! -The bonito flakes had a deep smoky flavor that was perfect over the blanched green beans and crispy daikon. -The ahi tataki was my absolute favorite dish. The fresh fish flavor and the sea asparagus was perfect together. -The adobo fried chicken was good -The fresh catch was better. -The mochi churro stole the show for me. The crispy outside and soft mochi inside was the perfect combination. -The pineapple orange pudding was amazing flavor combination with a coconut cream and toasted coconut flakes! Everything was so ono! read more

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Rating is really a 4.0 to 4.5 depending on the dish. Went on Sat 2/14 so parking lot was full because there was also a Chinese New Year Lion Dance in the courtyard. But there was still street parking. Service by server Sarah was awesome and 5 stars. She took excellent care of us, making sure we understood the menu and the dishes. She also checked on us regularly. Loved that they serve chilled water instead is water with ice. So much easier to drink, tastes better, too. Decor is simple and nice. Love the three kimono on the wall. One wall is glass so you can see the courtyard outside. Drinks: Old Fashioned was delicious. Sarah even asked if I preferred bourbon or rye. Bar looks well stocked. Sake options and drinks look good. Hubby had a Japanese rice based beer - Kohishikari Echigo beer. Ambiance - 3.5 to 4.0. A little noisy so hard to have conversations if you have a larger group. Food was good. Loved the Kalbi short rib bao. Short rib was very tender. Kimchee was diced well and of course added to the flavor. Bao was tender and fresh. Hubby had the duck fried rice. Well flavored ginger/garlic style fried rice with slices of roast duck and pickled thin sliced cucumbers. Yummy duck. Yummy fried rice if you like ginger/garlic fried rice. I had the Menchi bowl. Menchi was nicely breaded and very crispy. This was my first Menchi so I'm not sure how the ground beef texture is supposed to be but it was a bit chewier than I expected. Taste was very good. Mushroom gravy was yummy, and the onsen egg was awesome! Mochi churro with kinako was good because it was piping hot, crunchy, well coated with sugar, but the kinako didn't quite match (and I love kinako). Anglaise sauce was awesome. It was also fun because the Lion dancers came inside for good luck. Free entertainment! Would definitely return to try other dishes. read more

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Went here with my family for lunch, it's a cute spot tucked into Manoa Marketplace. We started off strong with delicious drinks-- both their mocktails and cocktails were so good! The flavor combos were true to local flavors & very well balanced. Especially loved the haku, which had a fun vinegar taste that wasn't overpowering. Honestly, the food was just okay. I think my favorites were the kalbi bao and maybe the lilikoi orange pudding? I felt none of the flavors were especially rich or developed, although everything was solid. Special shout out to the kimchi ribeye skewers(?) for being especially juicy and tender. Service was nothing special- our particular waitstaff was very low energy, but that wasn't necessarily negative. Overall, wouldn't go again for a meal but definitely will be back for drinks!! read more

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The food was decent but for the price we're paying, honestly we're expecting more. We came in a fairly large group and we all got to sample other dishes besides the one we ordered, so I would say I got a pretty good picture of their menu. We came right when they opened at 11am on a Saturday, and people who lined up made their way to the tables. We're lucky to have the first seating without any wait. The place was also quite spacious with a good number of tables as well. The service was friendly. They took care of us with a large table and made sure our glasses were always full. I wish I could love this restaurant, but I wasn't too happy paying $32 for a watery, soupy, under seasoned, small-portioned beef cheek stew. However, at least their Menchi katsu was enjoyable ($26) but still a $15 loco moco would provide me with the same satisfaction. I was also looking forward to their mochi churro. I appreciate the portions! But the mochi was not distinguishable from any ordinary dough. I get it that they're trying to do something different, but honestly the quality and the execution couldn't justify the price. I don't think any of us was impressed, and unfortunately my husband and I don't see ourselves coming back. read more

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5/5! Staff was attentive and seemed to care. They offered little baskets to people w purses/bags, so our personal items didnt have to touch the ground. How thoughtful - be try Japanese-esque of them. Bar was cute and stocked with all the essentials. Kitchen has an open concept that allowed diners to view in. Entire place was warm, cozy, and clean looking. Food: fusion but not sure of what. I tasted some Hawaiian flare and felt it leaned closer to Japanese cuisine. I got the hamburger steak deep fried katsu which sat in a bed of white rice smothered in mushroom gravy. It was topped with an onsen egg. I enjoyed my dish. My friends got the egg plant and a side of rice which she enjoyed. The others got I believe a salmon plate and handful of vegetarian stuff like the tomatoes. They loved it. read more

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Go with the flow. Thats my motto and tonight when the original selected restaurant in Manoa Shopping Center had a 30 minute wait, we walked a few steps to Little Plum for dinner. It was crowded but we scored two seats at the bar. I actually like to sit at the bar with my husband because there's a certain bit of intimacy as we sit side by side. We can whisper to each other about the couple disagreeing next to us, or surreptitiously look at something that another guest ordered. But mostly, it's just easier to speak into his good ear so I don't have to repeat myself. As soon as we sat, water was poured, menus were handed out and our server gave us a moment to decide. As promised, she was back in a few minutes and unhurriedly explained the drinks, food, etc. Wow, it's been a long time since I've experienced warmth and cordiality like this. We were immediately impressed by her sincerity. You can tell when employees are treated well by management because they make the customers a priority. My husband ordered the Beef cheeks stew and I had the tempura. It was a nice bowl of stew accompanied with rice and he ate it all. The beef broth was savory and flavorful. The tempura was filling with two nice sized shrimp, breadfruit, eggplants, and taro. The tempura batter was thick and crispy. The pieces were fried in quality oil, served hot and not soggy. The teishoku dinner set included an assortment of pickled vegetables, miso soup and a bowl of rice. From start to finish, we were done in an hour which was enough time to get to Manoa Valley Theatre in time for the performance. read more

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Went here on a double date and we ended up ordering a bunch of dishes family style, which made it really fun to try different things. The service was amazing and our waitress gave great recommendations that honestly helped a lot since there were so many things we wanted to try. I also thought it was such a thoughtful touch that they offered little baskets to keep your purses by your feet. My favorites were definitely the skewers, the shrimp toast with the white sauce, and the bao buns. I'm a really picky eater, but they somehow managed to sneak vegetables I normally avoid into several dishes and I barely found myself picking anything out, which says a lot. The atmosphere was perfect for a double date. It wasn't overly quiet, so we could actually have conversations without feeling like we had to whisper. Overall, such a cute spot with great food and great service. I can definitely see myself coming back. read more

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This is a fine dining restaurant and it was very busy. Reservations are necessary. We heard people trying to do a walk in and were old they don't take walk ins and to please make a reservation. The service is adequate. Our server was attentive in the beginning, checking if we had any questions. We did take a little while to decide but finally got our order in. The menu was not that extensive but had a variety of dishes to satisfy different tastes. We received our food in a good amount of time after we ordered. I should have paid more attention to the photos online before placing my order. I picked the kimchee ribeye. It came on three skewers as shown in photos. It was delicious, they made it exactly how I wanted it, medium rare on the rare side. However, the quantity vs. price left me a little disappointed. For the price, I feel there should be a bit more food. I'm not a big eater but I like to feel satisfied and I left a little hungry. Once we received our food, there was a different person periodically refilling our water. I also noticed there were a lot of employees moving around the room. There were people collecting our empty plates as we finished but we were waiting a while for a server to ask us if would like anything else and if we were ready for dessert or done. I would have ordered dessert if a server came soon after we finished our meal but the others with me decided not to get dessert there since we waited for a while. The ambiance is on the noisy side. I would have preferred less noise for the price paid. I also feel that there could be less employees to the number of tables which may help to reduce costs. A restaurant should have balance, especially if you are doing fine dining. Service, quality and quantity. Also attention to customers. I also think their alcohol menu outshines their food menu. I have had great experiences at other more seasoned restaurants. With that said, this restaurant is still very new and could be on the right track to greatness but still has a lot of room for improvement to be a great place. read more

Love this spot for a birthday dinner! My friend and I went to Little Plum to celebrate, and first off -- being in Manoa Marketplace is such a win because parking is easy, no stress. The vibe is super cute, with an Asian-inspired look and some of my favorite local jams playing in the background, which I loved. Only downside was it was pretty packed that night, so it got kinda loud and we had to talk louder than usual just to hear each other. Now the food -- sooo good. There were plenny things on the menu we wanted to try, but since it was just the two of us, we shared a few dishes. For appetizers we got the kalbi short rib bao and the ahi tataki. For mains, we split the menchi katsu and the pork belly. And for dessert, we had to try the mochi churros because we saw them going to almost every table. Here's my ranking, in order of favorites: Menchi katsu (hands down my top), kalbi bao, mochi churros, ahi tataki, then pork belly. Everything was tasty, but the pork belly ended up last only because the onions it came with were a little too salty for me. Service-wise, no complaints overall. Everyone was really friendly and attentive, and food came out at a good pace. Our server was just so-so, but the rest of the staff and overall service definitely made up for it. For drinks, my friend got the rock salt plum cocktail and really liked it. I kept it simple with a Pinot Grigio. I'd definitely come back again. I'm giving it 4 stars just because of the noise level, but food and vibe-wise, it was a solid dinner spot. read more

Little Plum - Mochi churros dessert - Asian Fusion Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

We have been frequenting the Mānoa Shopping Center since the mid-to-late '60s to shop and dine, but it wasn't until 2022 that we started to see refreshing or improvement to the retail center and a renaming to "Mānoa Marketplace." I think improvements were brought upon by the shopping center's acquisition by A&B (Alexander & Baldwin) Properties. During the improvement phases, we were happy that many long-time tenants remained while saddened to see some of our favorites depart. Meanwhile, we continued to shop or dine at Allison Izu, Safeway, Longs Drugs, Mānoa Farmers Market, Le Crêpe Café, Paesano's Ristorante Italiano, and Fendu Boulangerie. Nearly a year ago (June 2024), we excitedly heard about the opening of Asian-inspired Little Plum and its restaurant group's plans to open a second Mediterranean-inspired Lady Elaine) restaurant in the refreshed Mānoa Marketplace. Although we celebrated Valentine's Day and enjoyed the Mediterranean-inspired cuisine at Lady Elaine, which opened in December 2024, we had this restaurant in mind since reading stellar reviews from fellow Yelp Friends; it's taken us this long to find an occasion to eat there. We're about to travel abroad, so we invited my husband's relatives, our emergency contacts, to join us for lunch. I made a lunch reservation via the Resy dining reservation platform for our foursome. Upon entry into the casual, dark wood accented, and minimalist Japanese kimono-decorated restaurant, our eyes quickly surveyed the open floor plan to see if our guests had been seated. They were sitting and waiting for us for only a few minutes, and we thought they'd be late, according to their text message. We were seated by an amicable and cheery hostess in a booth facing the open kitchen, and we noticed the full bar to our left. Since our reservation was at 11:30 a.m., only a half hour after the restaurant's opening, there weren't too many others in the restaurant, but by noon, the restaurant was filled. FOOD: Kalbi short rib bao: The fluffy steamed buns were large enough to hold the melt-in-your-mouth tender boneless Korean BBQ-seasoned short rib without causing too much mess in your hands. The short rib was garnished with kimchi and sesame mayonnaise. These baos were succulent and tasty starters to our meals. 2/$14 -menchi katsu bowl: knowing that "menchi" means "minced" or "ground" in Japanese and paired with "katsu" or "breaded and fried cutlet", I expected and got a flavorful, juicy, and tender breaded, deep fried hamburger patty. The katsu was served with an onsen egg or "hot springs" soft-boiled egg with a silky smooth and custard-like egg white and runny, creamy yolk atop a bed of steamed white rice and a luxurious mushroom gravy. I thought about the last time (Lani Sot's sotbap) I said after eating this rice bowl, "This is the most amount of rice I've eaten in years," but this experience topped that. This dish was an upscale version of Loco Moco or, shall I say, a "Loco Moco on Steroids." $27 -fried chicken adobo teishoku: soon after being seated at our table with menus, I noticed my husband's eyes affixed to this menu item. He's a fried food aficionado, and this item appealed to his taste buds. The fried crust was crispy, light, and not too oily, while the chicken pieces were flavorful and juicy. The salad of pickled shallots, micro cilantro, and baby arugula complemented the mild adobo seasonings of the fried chicken pieces. The teishoku or set meal included miso soup, namasu (pickled cucumber & carrots), bean sprout salad, and steamed rice. My hungry husband enjoyed his lunch as he was the first to finish eating among our foursome. $28 The other couple enjoyed the beef cheek stew teishoku for $32 and mixed tempura teishoku for $25, as they also raved about the flavor, presentation, and portions. Even though our stomachs were full, we shared the two (liliko'i orange pudding $11 and mochi churros $11) desserts on the menu. The liliko'i (passion fruit) orange pudding with whipped haupia seemed firm-textured and dense like a cheesecake when I dipped my spoon into it. I expected a more mousse-like, soft, creamy mouthfeel, but the thicker and firmer texture didn't detract from the luscious tropical flavors. Our foursome enjoyed the mochi churros dusted with kinako more as we dipped the pieces in the crème anglaise. The churros were crisp, light, and airy, which the creamy and smooth crème anglaise complemented well. Even though the menu is limited to a single page, the items address most tastes. The same menu is available for lunch and dinner service. Service was welcoming, attentive, and unobtrusive. We'll be back! read more

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This was my first time eating at Little Plum. It was simply delicious! This is a wonderful place to meet friends and family. I started off with the Kalbi bao. Super tender braised Kalbi in a pillowy bao with kimchi. That was a great way to start lunch. It was so good, I ordered some to go. My friend had the. Menchi katsu and she loved it. She gave me a piece to try and I was surprised that it was hamburger and not pork or chicken. It was cooked to perfection along with that delicious mushroom gravy. I'll have that next time. I ordered the mushroom jook, and let me tell you that was the best jook I have ever had! Confit chicken with lots of chopped mushrooms and ginger, cilantro with a jammy onsen egg on top! They are also known for their cocktails, so I definitely have to come back for dinner. The service was amazing. Our server was so friendly and made great suggestions since it was our first time here. Parking can be a little bit tight as this marketplace is always busy. read more

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Very big space and a fair bit of seating. We came here for lunch today and it wasn't very busy so you could probably get away from now having to make a reservation. Their menu seems like it has more drink than food options, but their teishoku sets come with a heaping bowl of rice, miso soup, tsukemono and namul. I got the beef cheeks stew which was very flavorful and the meat was so tender. The servers for the most part are friendly, though I think our server wasn't prepared for all the questions my friend had, only because she has a dietary restrictions and a nut allergy. read more

Little Plum - Beef cheeks stew teishoku - Asian Fusion Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Wow! Incredible cuisine...ok, yes it is on the pricey side for us locals but it's still "Ono" (Delicious). I don't mind paying $$$ for excellent cuisine, ambiance and of course service. First, we made reservations for lunch and it was pretty open on a week day. It was laid back and servers were quick to take our orders and explain what each dish. I ordered a mocktail while my food bestie had a glass of wine. I had the beautiful beef cheeks and my bestie had the awesome menchi. YUM! The best thing that we loved was their mochi churros- it was so delicious (broke da mouth)!!! All in all, it was a great and memorable experience and we will definitely come back and support LOCAL! read more

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Such a wonderful experience!! The ambiance was amazing! We started off with shiitake bao and kalbi short rib bao. So much flavor and the presentation so very upscale! I then ordered their "Haku" drink which is a non alcohol drink made with LiLikoi,honey, mint and soda. So so refreshing on a hot summer day. For my entree I ordered the Menchi katsu. Fabulous!!! Everything was well seasoned and balanced not to mention the freshness of all the ingredients. I knew the moment we stepped into this place we were in for an awesome meal and dinning experience. From our waitress and wait-help they did not disappoint!! So very attentive and truly care about your dining experience....BIG MAHALO!! read more

Little Plum - Asian Fusion Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Enjoyed my quiet lunch with dear friend Val. She's the one who introduced me to the goodness here. I can't believe it's taken me this long to realize just how good the food at Little Plum is ! Left the ordering to her as she has been here many times already. We had two teishoku meal sets: the miso eggplant and the fried chicken adobo. Finishing off the meal with green tea and a shared dessert of mochi churros served with a delicious anglaise on side. Fried chicken adobo: lightly dusted cornstarch battered and fried for that nice crunch. Served with a delightful and light arugula salad, miso soup, beans sprouts, Japanese pickles, and rice. Meal was very satisfying. If anything slightly underseasoned which is great by me! 9/10 Eggplant miso: loved this dish! Dish on the lighter side yet bursting with flavor. Did I detect a combination of miso and yuzu? 10/10 Green tea was a bit pricey at $5 per person though it did include unlimited Refills. And even though we were stuffed we still did a sampling of the mochi churros. Very nice. Portion was generous as we took a third of them out. Service was very good. Maybe because there were only half a dozen other customers dining or drinking at the bar, we were pampered by three service persons. Thank you Val for suggesting this place and for the wonderful lunch and company! Thank you Little Plum for a most delicious and relaxing afternoon. read more

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Little Plum is an amazing Asian Fusion restaurant nestled in the Manoa Marketplace that warrants international recognition for its innovative flavor pairings from Asian, Hawaiian, & French cuisines. Everything was prepared to perfection with the savory mouthwatering meats so tender that they practically melt in your mouths. The distinct genius of Little Plum is their unique pairings of spices, sauces, & flavors used to bring out the rich yet subtle flavor notes of their dishes. We enjoyed their Ahi Tataki, seared ahi with lumpy, sea asparagus, & shishito chili crisp, the Spicy Miso Eggplant with charred leeks, togarashi, goma vinaigrette, & the Ribeye Skewers, which are tender gochujang marinaded ribeye chunks with Napa cabbage & kimchi relish, accompanied by the Duck Fried Rice with sliced juicy duck breast, namasu, & tomato chili sauce. An absolutely unforgettable medley of culinary delights!!! Topping all of this off in a class all of its own was the Mochi Churros with kinako (roasted sesame powder) & Anglaise sauce & Pineapple Orange Pudding with whipped haupia & toasted coconut. The Mochi Churros is an awe inspiring dessert experience no one should miss. It's like biting into crispy pockets of air dusted with sugar & kinako, & when dipped in the Anglaise sauce or the pudding feels like you're in heaven. Sealing its place as a world class dining experience is their outstanding, informative, attentive, joyful, & engaging staff. Our host & servers would impress the most discerning diners in the finest dining establishments. The ambiance is casual but upscale, & it's reasonably priced. Needless to say, Little Plum is a gem that cannot be missed & definitely one of my favorite places to dine. read more

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Wow! What a marvelous lunch here at Little Plum. I definitely recommend booking lunch since it's less busy and easy to reserve compared to dinner time. I patiently waited a few months to come so they can work out their new restaurant kinks. Beautiful ambiance with nice artwork. Ample parking. Open kitchen so you can see cooks work their magic. Bar seating available too. Comfortable booth seating. Amazing service! Everyone who came by our table was very friendly and attentive. Great conversationalists as well. We tried multiple items since it was hard to choose! We started off with the Ume Tomato $12, a la carte spicy miso eggplant $14, mushroom jook $25, and menchi katsu $26. Everything we ate was delicious! You can taste the care and quality ingredients in each dish. The carefully peeled tomatos were bursting with flavor and never thought whipped tofu could taste good. The miso eggplant was balanced beautifully with the sweet and slightly salty taste of the crispy eggplant. The mushroom jook tasted like a bowl of home. Very comforting and something you would crave on a cold rainy day. The Katsu was flavorful and crispy. They were kind enough to split into 2 separate bowls for us. Highly recommend! Give it a try! read more

Little Plum - Spirited Away Themed Non Alcoholic Drinks - Haku & Kamanji $8 each - Asian Fusion Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Dined here with 2 friends and we ordered a variety of dishes to share: ume tomato, fried chicken adobo, crispy pork belly, and ribeye skewers. Everything was so ono!! My friends found the pork belly a little too fatty, but hey, it's pork belly. Sharing it was ideal because I do agree that a whole dish of it would have made me not feel well afterwards. With that said, it was probably my favorite. I also had the tequila drink (can't remember what it was called) and the mezcal drink. They were both delightful, but I preferred the mezcal one because it was less sweet. The service here was also impeccable. I'm so glad I decided to try some place new before going to see a show at MVT. read more

Fun Fact- there are about 10 co-owners to Little Plum. Maybe one day I will pass the test of being able to name them all. Fun Fact- They also own Uncle Paul's Country Store (right next door to Little Plum) and Lady Elaine opposite Little Plum through the courtyard Here is my story: Food is good. Each dish has it's own taste. Those Cherry Tomatoes!!! Blanched and Peeled!!!! Yikes! who would have the patience to peel each tomato??? Well, someone did and those tomatoes tossed in a Ume flavor dressing and it sits on WHIPPED TOFU..... The cucumber pickles while you think you can get them anywhere has a unique taste with a little heat... and those darned cucumbers were CRUNCHY!!!! The menu is short, sweet and to the point consisting of a few appetizer dishes, about a dozen main dishes; teishoku and bowls making up the dozen or so main dishes. Their wine list is also short sweet and to the point. Their craft cocktails are pretty darned good with corny names! There is a corkage fee if you carry your own wine . Dishes and appetizers are moderately priced; and worth it for what you get. They are located in the Manoa Marketplace (old Paesano location) and parking is plentiful even if you had to walk a bit. 5th star for the Owners, Management and ALL the staff at Little Plum. You certainly deserve the accolades. I've been there a couple times and each time, one of the owners is there, on the floor and pitching in where help is needed. A very good policy if you ask me. Shows caring and pride in their establishment. Renovations done well; a bit on the dark side but nice. A bit noisy because of the acoustics (or lack of acoustics) but acceptable. Yup! I'll return. I think my next visit will be for lunch read more

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food - asian fusion that mainly focuses on japanese cuisine/elements. reminds me of a home cooked meal in the best way! the meals were comforting and delicious, though a little on the pricey side. we got the fresh catch teishoku, chicken adobo teishoku, and mushroom jook. we also got the mochi churros for dessert - highly recommend this one!!! service - very attentive! they filled our waters and checked on us many times which was greatly appreciated :) ambiance - looks like a newly renovated and clean space. there is an open kitchen so you can see the chefs making the food. read more

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Cozy and friendly restaurant in Manoa. Amazing cocktail menu with lots of unique options. They use lots of local vendors and ingredients which I love. Great spot for parties and date nights, with modern decor and table styles. Very relaxing atmosphere with an open kitchen concept. Food was amazing, and easy to share. Definitely recommend! read more

This was my second time at Little Plum and we came to celebrate a birthday. They surprised us with complimentary mocktails, which was a really nice touch. We ordered the tomato tofu shiso salad and it was so refreshing. The menchi katsu is always a hit and never disappoints. The poke was just okay, and I would recommend ordering other dishes instead, like the mushroom risotto or the baos. The only downside is that it can get really loud inside. Other than that, such a great restaurant with thoughtful service and solid food. I would definitely recommend it! read more

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My friend and I decided to check out this cozy spot for a Saturday lunch catch-up. She discovered it through Instagram reels, and I booked a reservation via Google, which seamlessly links to Resy. Location: Located on the ground floor of Manoa Marketplace near the post office, this restaurant is nestled among the cluster of eateries between Longs Drugs and Safeway. If you're driving and using Google Maps, heads up - it may direct you to the back of Manoa Marketplace. Ignore that and park in the main lot instead. Parking: Parking is plentiful, and if you're lucky, you might snag a stall right in front of the restaurant. Atmosphere: With its massive bar, varied seating, and Japanese-inspired decor, the space radiates izakaya energy. While I imagine it's livelier in the evenings, our lunchtime visit was relatively quiet and relaxed. Food: I ordered the menchi katsu, while my friend went with the mushroom jook. Both dishes were beautifully plated, and the portion sizes were just right. The menchi katsu was delicious - crispy ground meat patty, a perfectly runny onsen egg, all atop rice mixed with mushroom gravy. The only drawback? The mushroom gravy leaned on the bland side, but when combined with the rest of the dish, it worked. My friend had zero complaints about her jook, happily polishing it off. Drinks: We didn't try any specialty drinks, but as a Ghibli fan, I had a nerd moment over their "Spirit-ed Away" cocktail section, featuring drinks inspired by characters from the movie. With roughly 75% of the menu dedicated to beverages - ranging from soft drinks to an extensive alcohol selection - this place seems like a paradise for those who love a creative drink lineup. Service: Service was fantastic! Our waitress was attentive and quick; extra shoutout to the heroic staff member who rescued my phone after it took a dive behind the booth seating. (I would have gotten it myself, but wearing a short-ish dress and bending over didn't seem like the best idea.) If you're sitting in a booth, note that there's a large gap between the backrest and seat - so hold onto your small belongings unless you want them to test the laws of gravity. Price: A bit pricey for lunch, but the tasty food and excellent service made it worthwhile. The complimentary White Rabbit and plum candies with the bill were a sweet finishing touch. Would I return? I wouldn't necessarily rush back just for the food unless it was a special occasion, but their drink menu has me intrigued. I'd love to revisit in the evening, sip on a cocktail or two, and see how the atmosphere transforms after dark. read more

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We just had the best date night at Little Plum. I hope you visit and get Dillion as your bartender. Also get the eggplant!

loved little plum! super cute vibe and great service. mocktails were super refreshing and the mushroom jook was sooo good. will be back just for this! read more

Little Plum - mushroom jook - Asian Fusion Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Girls night out for dinner and drinks. Food was super ono and tasty. Drinks were fun! The most outstanding thing about Little Plum is the service! Our waitress Sarah was super attentive and checked on us frequently. She gave us suggestions and answered all of our questions! We also were helped by Reagan - friendly, fast and excellent customer service! (Good job Reagan!) We were celebrating a friend's birthday and we all felt very special :) onolicious drinks, super good dessert and we left with full tummies! The three of us shared the 3 entrees - the jook, beef cheeks stew and kalbi short ribs bao. Wonderful experience! Awesome place for step up fancy kine Asian cuisine :) read more

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I ordered the eggplant for a quick lunch take out. The eggplant and soup were tasty although the soup was filled maybe 1/2 way in the container. Food came out quick and the restaurant surprisingly not busy for lunch on a Saturday read more

Don't be fooled by Google Maps. This establishment is located in Manoa Marketplace near Brug Bakery. We didn't have a reservation, but were seated quickly. Service was attentive and top notch! From the menchi katsu to the kalbi short rib bao to the mochi churros, everything we ordered during our visit was superb. However, while the fried chicken adobo was very tasty, it did not have an "adobo" flavor. Can't wait to visit again. Highly recommend! Note: I posted more than 10 photos, so I hope they all post with this review. read more

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My brother saw braddah Fran C yelp reviews and pictures so he picked us up after he's job and went for lunch. We had the kalbi Kim chee bao, I had the mix tempura teishoku as well as Craig. My husband had mushroom jook. For dessert we had the mochi churros. Everything was good. It gets pretty busy after 11:30. Good thing we got there when they 1st open at 11am. read more

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A hot and new restaurant located in the Manoa Marketplace. Street level at 2752 Woodlawn Drive #5-101, Honolulu, Hawaii. Ample free parking in the area. You can find a table @ resy.com or call (808) 888-0330. Lady Elaine is related to this restaurant, as both are a part of Grable's restaurant group. My daughter and I wanted to try this new restaurant as the buzz was all positive. We were fortunate to walk in and be seated quickly. Server Jarrin seated us at our table by the front of the restaurant with a window view. We were brought a basket to place our purses in. A welcomed surprise and delight. No more bags sliding off the chair lol. Jarrin, our initial server, was pleasant and explained the menu and specials to us. When I asked him what the most popular dishes are, he said the mixed tempura teishoku and the spicy miso eggplant teishoku are very popular. Kiana was our second server and took our order. Kiana was also energetic and personable. We ordered both suggested dishes. Jarrin was right! Both dishes were tasty and flavorful. Both dishes came with miso soup, tsukemono ( a pickled or seasoned vegetable dish), namul (blanched and lightly seasoned bean sprouts) and rice. Our table was checked on and our water was refilled. The restaurant was full of diners and the only negative impact was that the noise level is loud here. Ambiance: 4.5/5 stars I favored the spicy eggplant dish. The spice was just right and the eggplant was cooked to perfection. Very savory and delicious meal. 5/5 stars The tempura crust on the shrimp and vegetables was nice and not oily. It tasted more like a very light waffle batter. We enjoyed this dish as well. 4.5/5 stars Last but not least, Joy, like her name, informed us of the lovely dessert options here. The Lilikoi Orange pudding with whipped haupia and toasted coconut interested us so we ordered it to share. This is a must try dish! The mixed textures and flavors of this unique dessert is an experience in itself. Very light and full of flavor. 5/5 stars When your bill arrives, cute little plum candies are placed in the tray. Adorable and a nice touch. Please enjoy the pictures of the nicely plated dishes. Service 5/5 stars Note: I rounded up to 5 stars overall as our experience was a delight here. read more

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Little Plum is not the kind of place you'd want to dine at if you're in a rush to go elsewhere. It's not about the service - they are on top of things. But driving into Mānoa means slowing things down as you navigate the valley's narrow roads. The atmosphere inside is appropriate for an upscale bedroom community. The drinks are creative, original, and range from delightful low abv ones to satisfying spirit forward choices. The food is very familiar local staples with nicely balanced flavors. My two favorites are the Mushroom Jook and Beef Cheek Stew. Both are served in bowls. You can get the stew a la carte or as a meal set w rice and soup. I find both are fine bowls of warm comfort. The owner, Dusty Grable, is often around and he will probably stop by your table to say hello and thank you for coming. This is the kind of place every neighborhood needs. Lucky you live Mānoa. read more

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If you're looking for a restaurant with innovative dishes, and great service look no further than Little Plum!!!! Located in Manoa marketplace near the post office. We were greeted and seated promptly even thought we arrived 15 min prior to our 7:00 pm reservation time. Our server, I think her name was Sarah was great and explained everything in detail. We started our evening with the Rock salt plum cocktail and a sake flight. The cocktail was strong with the right amount for sweetness and the sake flight was refreshing. Our appetizers consisted of the ume tomato, daikon & pohole, and kalbi short rib bao. All the appetizers were smaller dishes that were nice and light. The ume tomato had a nice creamy flavor from the whipped tofu. We both enjoyed the daikon & pohole! Make sure to mix it well and get all the yummy yuzu ponzu dressing mixed with the daikon & pohole!! The kalbi short rib bao was also very flavorful. The meat was so tender and the bao was warm and so soft. The show stopper were the main entrees. I had the mushroom jook, which was so flavorful !!! Packed with pieces of chicken, mushrooms, ginger pieces and perfectly cocked congee. Our other entree was the Menchi Katsu! Crispy hamburger Katsu, perfectly seasoned, sits on a bed of rice and mushroom gravy, topped with onsen egg!!! Ummmmm, Lastly, we had the crispy mochi churro. Melt in your mouth, crunch churro dusted with cinnamon and kinako powder, served with a side of anglaise sauce. Loved the service, food and the atmosphere. We will defiantly be back!!! read more

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Ambiance was very nice, darker setting vibe which was great, I don't really like to bright bright type of places. We started with drinks and I'm a whiskey girl, my drink even came with a cookie chip on top, perfect sweet salty vibe they were going with. I ordered the mushroom chicken jook and let's say I would want to order more to take home. Overall service was great and so was the food. We will be back again. read more

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Have You Tried This Hidden Gem in Mānoa Yet? Little Plum in the Manoa Market place If you love elevated comfort food with a unique Asian fusion twist, Little Plum in Mānoa is calling your name! From flavor-packed teishoku plates to crafted cocktails that hit just right, this spot is all about bold flavors and cozy vibes. The service is top notch, fast friendly and helpful. Perfect date night spot or a place to catch up with old friends. Must-try dishes: Fresh sashimi that melts in your mouth Perfectly crisp tempura with a light, airy crunch Menchi Katsu was my favorite! With its aesthetic interior, vibrant kimonos on the walls, and casual-chic ambiance, it's the perfect date night or foodie meetup spot. But don't just take my word for it--book your resy ASAP before it fills up! read more

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Tucked into the back corner of Manoa Marketplace, Little Plum doesn't call attention to itself--but once you find it, you understand why so many speak of it with reverence. In less than two years, this understated restaurant has quietly become one of Honolulu's most compelling dining destinations, offering a thoughtful, serene experience that feels both refined and deeply rooted in place. The space is modest in size but rich in atmosphere. With clean lines, natural textures, and soft lighting, it evokes an ambiance that is elegant yet unpretentious--a fitting setting for a menu that values restraint over spectacle, and seasonality over flash. Chef-driven and intentionally pared down, the food at Little Plum speaks in a quiet, confident voice. The Beef Cheek Stew is a standout--rich and tender, it comforts like a classic stew but with elevated depth. The Mushroom Jook offers a warm, earthy take on congee that soothes and satisfies. Bao buns and miso eggplant bring familiar comfort foods into new territory, reimagined with finesse and flavor that lingers. The plating is beautiful without being fussy; the flavors layered, subtle, and satisfying. The sake program is one of the restaurant's defining features. Curated with care and a clear point of view, it features elegant, small-producer bottles that pair seamlessly with the food. The staff is not only knowledgeable but passionate--ready to share context and stories behind each label, adding depth to every pour. Though nestled among the everyday bustle of Manoa Marketplace, Little Plum feels worlds away from the surrounding shops and casual eateries. Even when full, the dining room maintains a gentle hum--welcoming, unhurried, and perfectly paced. The service is warm and polished, creating a sense of ease from start to finish. In a neighborhood better known for casual eats, Little Plum brings something more nuanced and enduring: a restaurant that values quality over quantity, intention over trend. It's not the flashiest spot in town--but it might be one of the most memorable. read more

This was my third time to Little Plum. I've been twice for lunch and once for dinner. I prefer the lunch menu since the portions are larger (bento sets come with rice). I usually order the tempura set that comes with shrimp, ulu, eggplant, and other vegetables, but wanted to try something different. We ordered the kalbi short rib bao and the cucumber salad to share. The bao was absolutely delicious and melts in your mouth. For main dish I ordered the pork belly. The pork belly was a little too salty for my taste and the greens in came with needed a little dressing in my opinion. It wasn't my favorite but glad I got to try something different. The tempura is definitely a staple and I'll probably continue to order that again instead when I go back. Every time I've visited, the staff has always been super nice and able to give recommendations on the menu. The restaurant is cozy and they have ample parking in the Manoa Marketplace lot. read more

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Little Plum is the type of place you dress up for and take your partner out to leave a good impression, then order a literal fried loco moco to (sophisticated-ly) smash together. Though the place exudes a clear elegance and atmosphere, the service is friendly and easygoing, and the food comprises of Asian and local dishes elevated through technique and presentation. The aforementioned loco moco, Menchi Katsu on the menu, is a great example: the hamburger patty is moist, lightly battered/fried, and served on rice with a kind-of-white, kind-of-dark mushroom gravy and a poached egg. The big highlight of the meal for me, though, was the Ahi Tataki, which looked like a rainbow and tasted like the ocean (that's a good thing). There are so many components to the dish that somehow work together, from the light brininess of the seaweed to the refreshing ponzu to the ahi itself. I do wish there was a bit more food that came with every dish, but if you're trying to leave a good impression on the honeys or homies (likely why you're eating here), the servings here are reasonable and will suffice. read more

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The food and drinks were good but the service was even better! I believe our server was Nikki (?) and girl was so knowledge with the thousand questions we had about the drinks. It was hard to choose just one but we all ended up loving our selections and would be down to come back just for the drinks alone. We did a family style and my personal faves were the Ahi Tataki and Mushroom Jook. I have no idea what sauce or marinade they used for the Ahi Tataki but all of us agreed that it was a winner! Honestly we enjoyed everything we ordered and even had room for dessert: Mochi Churros I'm typically not a churro person because I don't have a huge sweet tooth and cinnamon isn't my favorite spice but I felt like they created this dish pretty well! Not only was it super light and airy but the dipping sauce that came with it was a great complement. It reminded us of a chilled custard? Definitely put this place on your radar for your next outing! You can easily make reservations on their website/Resy read more

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Amazing food and even better service Had the ume tomatoes which was unlike anything I've had before, so refreshing. The tempura was well salted and the miso eggplant had great seasoning too. Loved the Zeniba sprit and the mochi churros was the perfect way to end the meal. Will definitely be coming back! read more

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"One Bourbon One Scotch One Beer" - George Thorogood. A mostly cocktail review, with some food sprinkled in. A Bourbon, a scotch and one beer would have been a helluva lot cheaper than our lunch at the Little Plum, and by "we" I mean me and my friend, whose BDAY it was. Can't be cheap for someone's BDAY and the cocktails, my friend, were not cheap...but they were so very very very good. The food, maybe just so-so, coz I came home and ate instant ramen as I was still hungry, but that's my fault for drinking so much liquid money instead of using it to fuel my stomach instead of my liver. Rock Salt Plum: $16 x 2 We each had their signature drink, the Rock Salt Plum which consisted of Kohana Kea Rum (yes, it's rum agricole, good stuff), rock salt plum, amaro angeleno (bitter stuff but good in this mix), sugarcane dane, macnut orgeat, lime shavings and dark Koloa rum topping. Moderately great buzz, blending into a lazy sublime not-so-much. Flavor was so crafty. Amazing cocktail and much much better than other places I have been. Skip Wakiki for craft cocktails, come here! 5-star cocktail, huge large ice cube, though. Jolly Rajah: $16 Roku gin (from Japan, nice botanicals), green river syrup, egg white and lime gratings, topped with an edible flower (viola). My friend requested vodka to be subbed for the gin, and our server/cocktail crafter graciously indulged him. It was a fabulous cocktail, pretty to look at and good to drink too. I preferred Rock Salt Plum, though. Like Cracks: $16 Roku gin, crackseed lemon peel, yuzu kosho serrano syrup. The ingredients seemed so complex and beguiling, but it was pretty wimpy compared to Rock Salt Plum. I asked for the rim to be salted and it was accommodated happily, with what appeared to be Maldon sea salt flakes, which gave it more elevation. I was expecting a complex, savory drink but it was pretty 2-dimensional, the salt helped. Mango Sticky Rice Beer: $7 x 2 My friend ordered these, never heard of mango sticky rice beer from Maui Brewing before, pretty good. It's seasonal. Tempura Set: $25 Set comes with a small bowl of rice, miso soup (bland), pickled veggies, and seasoned bean sprouts. Tempura consisted of two shrimp and some veggies like eggplants. Shrimp was good but some of the veggies were pretty hard, it was like biting into deep-friend cardboard. Adobo Chicken Side Order: $10 Teeny tiny pieces of chicken on side-order. BDAY friend ordered this. I didn't try it, so no comment here, except it was super tiny. Spicy Eggplant Set: $25 Same as above tempura set, but the eggplant was SUPER good. Small portions but super flavorful. Would get this again, maybe... TOTAL BILL$ 162.00 for lunch with tip included. SERVICE: Very good. PARKING: Free at Manoa Market place, lots of parking on a Saturday afternoon in December. RETURN FACTOR: I'd come back for cocktails for sure, not so much the food (except the spicy eggplant). I'd also use Lyft or Uber next time. read more

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